Railway truck



Sept. 22, 1936. L s. F. COUCH v 2,055,278

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed May 231 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wi\/a* filam F Uouch M abtomq Patented Sept. 22, 1936 2355378 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK Glenn F. Couch, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application May 23, 1928, Serial No. 279,974

22 Claims. (Cl. 105-486) This invention relates to railway trucks, and then raised and the springs applied therebeneath, more particularly to a side frame provided with the construction of the parts being such that the a bridge wall connecting the lower portions of bolster cannot get ofi the interlocking stop lugs the bolster guide columns thereof in combination on the cap while the springs are in position.

with a laterally movable bolster. Other objects and advantages of the invention 5 The principal object of my invention, generally relating to the particular arrangement and conconsidered, is to provide a railway truck in which struction of the various parts will become apthe side frames of the bridge. type such as shown parent as the description proceeds. in Richards application, Serial No. 135,442, now Referring to the drawings illustrating my in- Patent No. 1,843,069, dated January 26, 1932, that vention, the scope whereof is defined by the ap- 10 is, formed with bridge walls connecting the lower pended claims. v portions of the bolster guide columns or struts, Figure 1 is a partial plan and partial horizontal whereby the strength thereof is greatly increased sectional view of a fragmentary portion of one and the springs protected against oversolid blows, embodiment of my truck, particular illustrating the size of the bolster opening being at the same the connection between the bolster and an asso- 1 time decreased, whereby the associated bolster elated side frame. can not be inserted and removed in the conven- Figure 2 is a side elevation of a fragmentary tional manner, springs and a spring cap being portion of the side frame and bolster illustrated supported by each frame and lateral motion rollin Figure l, a portion of the bolster and spring cap ers being disposed between said spring caps and being shown in vertical section. 20 the adjacent ends of the associated bolster, the Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of that construction being such that the caps are interportion of the truck shown in Figures 1 and 2, the locked with the frame and the bolster is in turn bolster springs being diagrammatically indicated interlocked with the caps for limiting lateral by dot and dash lines.

movement thereof. Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the bolster 25 Another object of my invention is to provide and spring cap interlocked therewith, the lateral a bridge type side frame in which the bolster motion rollers being shown in position theresprings on opposite sides of the bridge support a between. spring cap, which in turn supports rollers dis- Figure 5 is a plan of the spring cap.

posed between said cap and bolster whereby Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts 30 lateral movement of said bolster is permitted, the being designated by like reference characters, a construction being such that the spring cap is truck side frame I of the cast type is shown, interlocked with the frame and the bolster interalthough it will be obvious that certain advanlocked with the spring cap. tages of my invention may be secured using A further object of my invention is the proframes of other construction. Said frame I corn- 35 vision of a railway truck involving side frames prises a compression member 2, a tension memand a lateral motion bolster in which the bolster ber 3 and bolster guide columns or strut portions has standard transverse movement before its 4 spacing intermediate portions of said compresinner stops engage the bolster guide columns, said sion and tension members, leaving, a bolster or bolster being formed without the usual outer stops window opening 5 therebetween. The compres- 40 and adapted to receive upstanding lugs on a sion and tension members extend outwardly in spring cap for limiting relative transverse movethe usual manner and are joined to each other merit thereof. adjacent the ends of the frames (not shown) and A still further object of my invention is to either have integral journal boxes at said ends devise an improved interlocking relationship beor are adapted for being securely connected to 5 tween a lateral motion bolster and the associated associated journal boxes (not shown). side frames in which said frames have strength- For rigidifying the construction of the frame ening bridge portions between the lower parts of the lower portions of the bolster guide columns the bolster guide columns, the parts being assemor struts 4 are preferably rigidly connected by bled by inserting an upper spring cap diagonally means of a double-walled bridge portion, wall 50 in the bolster opening and then letting it down or girder 6, extending from the upper web 9 of flat on the bridge with its guiding lugs engaging the intermediate or horizontal portion ID of the the bolster guide columns, the lateral motion tension member 3, said girder in the present emrollers being then inserted, after which the bolster bodiment being formed with vertical web portions is applied thereabove, said bolster, rollers and cap 1 nn t d at t t p y a t n v s w b por- 55 tion 8 which extends at an angle to the web portions 1 and presents a flat top surface of relatively great area as compared with the horizontal section of one of the web portions 1. The bolster guiding portions of the bolster guide columns 4 at opposite ends of the bridge wall 6 are substantially channel-shaped in cross-section, said channel shape, however, being preferably of special form involving a transverse web I l, and diagonally disposed or flaring flanges l2, the outer ends of said flanges, however, being extended longitudinally of the frame, as indicated at l3.

On opposite sides of the bridge wall 6, which may be considered as an upward convolution of the upper web 9 of the horizontal portion ID of the tension member 3, said web 9 is preferably extended outwardly beyond the sides I4 of the tension member to provide sufilcient area for supporting the bolster springs l5, indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines; see particularly Figure 3. Those portions of the upper web 9 beyond the sides M of the tension member are preferably braced or rigidified with respect to the sides l4 by means of the triangular gusset portions. The upper surface of the web 9 of the tension member is desirablyformed with upstanding lugs l6 adapted to serve as spring positioning means, that is, to fit within the bolster springs l5 and maintain the same in proper position. The inner lugs I6, that is, those disposed inwardly'of the bridge wall 6, preferably also serve as spring plank squaring lugs for maintaining the associated spring plank I! in proper relation with respect to the frame. For that pur pose they desirably extend through corresponding apertures l8 in the lower web of the plank l'l, said apertures being preferably larger than the normal size of the lugs I6, the bases of said inner lugs I 8 being correspondingly increased, as indicated at l9, for filling the apertures l8 in said spring plank.

The bolster springs 15 are supported by means of the upper web 9 of the tension member, the outer springs resting directly on said upper web and the inner springs preferably resting on the web of the spring plank ll, whereby said spring plank is retained in position on the frame. The upper web 9 of the tension member beneath the spring plank is desirably slightly lower than the outer portion of said web, so that the top of the spring plank, when in position, is on the same level as the top of the outer portion of the upper web 9 of said tension member, whereby all of the bolster springs may be of the same height.

Resting directly on the tops of the springs I5 is a spring cap or seat 20, the lower surface of which is provided with depending flange or rib portions 2| which extend over the tops of the associated springs 15 and retain said springs and cap in the desired assembled relation. The cap is prevented from undesired lateral movement with respect to the frame by outstanding lug or guiding portions 22 which are correspondingly beveled and engage the sides l2 of the guide columns whereby vertical but not relative transverse movement of said cap is permitted. The upper' surface of said cap is desirably formed with concave roller-receiving portions 23 and the lower surface of the supported bolster 24 is correspondingly formed with roller-receiving portions 25. Rollers 26 are employed between the bolster 24 and the spring cap 20 whereby limited lateral movement of the bolster with respect to the spring cap and associated frame is permitted.

On account of the engagement betweenthe rollers and the concave portions of the bolster and cap, said bolster tends to return to normal position, as any movement from normal involves a raising of the bolster and the supported body of the car.

In order to limit lateral movement of the bolster with respect to the frame, said bolster is formed with inner stops 21, which engage the bolster guide columns after the standard or normal permitted transverse movement of said bolster. No outer guide lugs are provided on the bolster because on account of the bridge wall 6 it would be impossible to insert said bolster in place if such lugs were provided. Instead the bolster is formed with downwardly opening pockets or insets 28 and the spring cap 20 is provided with correspondingly formed upstanding lug or flange portions 29 fitting in the pockets while permitting normal relative movement between said bolster and cap. From a consideration of Figure 4, particularly, it will be seen that the lug or flange portions 29 on the cap involve outermost lug extensions 30, which are preferably the highest parts of the lug 29 and fit in the tallest portions 3| of the receiving pockets or inset portions 28 of the bolster, the portions 3| of the bolster, however, being sufficiently wide to permit the desired transverse movement of the bolster. Inwardly of the lug portions 30 the flanges 29 are continued at reduced height as indicated at 32 and near their innermost ends are formed with shouldered or cut-away portions 33 receiving correspondingly shouldered portions 34 on the bolster, with the provision of similar clearance for permitting the desired lateral motion of said bolster. It will therefore be seen that the spring cap is interlocked with respect to the bolster by the engagement of the extended lug portion 39 in the pocket portion 3|, which serves to limit movement of the bolster both ways, movement of the bolster outwardly of the frame being limited also by the engagement between the shoulder 34 thereon in the shouldered portion 33 of the spring cap, as well as by engagement between the inner stop lugs 21 and the bolster guide columns 4.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a bridge type side frame with a spring cap and rollers permitting lateral movement of the associated bolster, While at the same time interlocking said bolster with respect to the frame. In order to assemble the parts in place the spring cap or seat 20 is inserted diagonally in the bolster or window opening 5 and let down to a horizontal position on the top of the bridge 6. The rollers, which in the present embodiment are four in number, although it will be obvious that more or less may be employed, are then placed in position and the bolster inserted thereabove. The parts are so designed that when the bolster is in the extreme upper portion of the bolster opening 5 itwill clear the lug portions 30 on the cap 20, when said cap is resting on the top of the bridge 6. The spring cap 20 and the associated rollers and bolster are then raised and the springs applied therebeneath, the inner springs, of course, resting on the associated spring plank H. The parts are so designed that the bolster cannot get off the stop lugs 30 while the springs are in position.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

and interlocked with the frame for preventing lateral movement thereof, rollers supported on said cap, a bolster with its end supported on said rollers, said cap being provided with stop lugs engaged in corresponding pockets in the bolster for limitingtransverse movement of the latter.

10. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame with a tension member and bolster guide columns rigidified by a bridge wall connecting the lower portions of said guide columns, springs supported on said tension member on opposite sides of said bridge wall, a spring cap resting on said springs above said wall, said spring cap beinginterlocked with the bolster guide columns for restraining lateral movement of said cap while guiding it for vertical movement, lateral motion antifriction means resting on said cap, and a bolster resting on said means, the movement of said bolster being limited by engagement of an upstanding lug on the cap in a corresponding downwardly opening pocket in said bolster.

11; The method of assembling a lateral motion bolster with a bridge type side frame, comprising inserting an upper spring cap diagonally in the bolster opening of the frame and letting it down flat on the bridge, applying lateral motion rollers thereabove, inserting the bolster in the bolster opening above said rollers, raising said bolster, rollers and cap, applying the bolster springs beneath said cap and above the tension member of the frame, and lowering said cap, rollers and bolster on said springs.

12. In a railway truck, in combination, aside frame formed with a bolster opening, bolster springs positioned in said opening, a bolster disposed above said springs, the end of said bolster being so formed that it is freely insertable in said opening, a spring cap resting on said springs and formed with portions engaging the parts of the frame defining the sides of said opening for limiting lateral movement thereof while permitting vertical movement, and rollers disposed between said bolster and cap, interlocking portions being provided on said latter members for limiting movement of said bolster transversely of the side frame.

13. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a bolster opening, bolster springs, a spring cap resting on the tops of said springs and interlocked with the frame for preventing lateral movement thereof, rollers supported on said cap, a bolster with its end supported on said rollers, said cap being provided with stop lugs engaged in corresponding pockets in the bolster for limiting transverse movement of the latter.

14. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame, bolster springs supported thereon, a spring cap resting on said springs, said spring cap being interlocked with portions of the frame for restraining lateral movement of said cap while guiding it for vertical movement, lateral motion antifriction means resting on said cap, and a bolster resting on said means, the movement of said bolster being limited by engagement of an upstanding lug on the cap in a corresponding downwardly opening pocket in said bolster.

15. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, said bolster having inner stops adapted to engage said columns and limit movement of the bolster into said opening, means removably mounted in said bolster and comprising flanges closely engaging the outer surfaces of said columns, cooperating with the bolster and supplementing said inner stops, springs on the side frame for supporting the bolster, and maintaining said removable means in position in said bolster, a member mounted on said springs and provided with anti-friction elements directly supporting said bolster for movement laterally of the side frame, and means projecting downwardly from said member for holding said springs in position.

16. In a railway vehicle truck, in combination, a side frame having a central opening and normally vertical columns at the' sides thereof, a web disposed below said opening for reinforcing 'said frame, a bolster having one of its ends extending into said opening, springs supported on said frame on either side of said web, a spring cap member in said opening and normally supported by said springs, said spring cap member being formed to support the associated end of the bolster and permit lateral movement thereof with respect to the frame, and means normally extending vertically and serving to limit said lateral movement of the bolster, said bolster being recessed and normally receiving said movement-limiting means, said cap member having guide channels normally receiving portions of said columns and interlocking said member with respect to said frame.

17. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a tension member with an upper web and a window opening thereabove with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, the upper web of the tension member being upwardly convoluted below the window opening to provide a doublewalled bridge portion between'the columns for reinforcing said side frame, springs on said frame on either side of said bridge portion, and means above said springs and including parts adapted to roll on a lower wall of said bolster, a spring cap, and interlocking portions extending between said cap and bolster, whereby the latter is mounted for limited movement laterally of the side frame. Y

18. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, means removably mounted beneath, and comprising flanges interlocking with, said bolster and adapted to engage said columns, springs on the side frame for supporting the bolster and maintaining said removable means in position in said bolster, and a plurality of rollers extending for the major part' of the bolster width, spaced longitudinally of and directly engaging a lower wall'portion of said bolster and disposed above said springs, whereby the bolster is supported for movement laterally with respect to the side frame.

19. In a car truck, a bolster, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof adapted to receive an end of the bolster therebetween, a plurality of webs extending below the Window opening for reinforcing said slde frame and provided at their upper edges with a connecting portion extendingat an angle thereto and presenting a flat top surface of relatively great area, springson said side frame on either side of said webs, and a member mounted on said springs and provided with portions interlocking with the bolster and anti-friction elements directly engaging a lower of the side frame.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, a bridge wall Joining said struts below the bolster opening, those portions of the tension member on opposite sides of said wall being adapted to support springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tensiorr member, a bolster supported thereabove by means of said springs, the end of said bolst'er being freely insertable between the struts, stop lugs on said bolster adapted to be engaged by said struts to limit outward movement thereof, an upper spring cap disposed beneath said bolster, and lateral motion rollers between said bolster and cap, said cap and bolster interlocking to limit inward movement of the latter.

2. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, a bridge wall Joining the lower portions of said struts and decreasing the size of said opening, the tension member being extended transversely on either side of said wall for supporting springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tension member, a bolster supported thereabove by means of said springs, said bolster being formed without outer guide lugs whereby the end thereof is freely insertable in the bolster opening, inner stop lugs on said bolster for limiting outward movement thereof, an upper spring cap disposed beneath said bolster and resting on said springs, the upper surface of said cap and the corresponding lower surface of the bolster being adapted to receive rollers, and lateral motion rollers disposed between said bolster and cap.

3. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, a bridge wall joining the lower portions of said struts for increasing the strength of the frame, said bridge wall restricting the normal size of said opening, those portions of the tension member on opposite sides of said bridge wall being widened for supporting springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tension member, a bolster disposed above said springs, the end of said bolster being freely insertable between the struts, inner stop lugs on said bolster adapted to be engaged by said struts to limit outward movement thereof, a spring cap resting on said springs and formed with lugs engagingsaid struts for limiting lateral movement thereof while allowing vertical movement, and lateral motion rollers disposed between said bolster and cap, interlocking portions being provided on said latter members for limiting relative movement of the bolster while permitting the desired lateral motion thereof.

4. In a railway truck, in combination, a bridge type side frame formed with a relatively small bolster opening above the bridge thereof, bolster springs disposed on opposite sides of said bridge, a spring cap resting on the tops of said springs and'interlocked with the frame for preventing lateral movement thereof, rollers supported on said cap, a bolster with its end supported on said rollers and provided with an inner stop lug adapting it for normal transverse movement before said lug engages the frame, said cap being provided with a stop lug engaged by a corresponding shoulder on the bolster for limiting inward movement of the latter.

5. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame rigidified by a bridge wall connecting the lower portions of the bolster guide columns thereof, springs supported between the bolster and tension member on opposite sides of said bridge wall, a spring cap resting on said springs above said wall, said spring cap being formed with lugs engaging the bolster guide columns for restraining lateral movement of said cap while guiding it for vertical movement, lateral motion rollers resting on said cap, and a bolster resting on said rollers, the movement of said bolster being limited by engagement of upstanding lugs on the cap in corresponding downwardly opening pockets in said bolster.

6. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, the tension member beneath the bolster opening being adapted to support springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tension member, a bolster supported thereabove by means of said springs,

' the end of said bolster being freely insertable between the struts, stop lugs on said bolster adapted to be engaged by said struts to limit outward movement'thereoi, an upper spring cap disposed beneath said bolster, and lateral motion rollers between said bolster and cap, said cap and bolster interlocking to limit inward movement of the latter.

7. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, the tension member being extended transversely beneath the bolster opening for supporting springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tension member, a bolster supported thereabove by means of said springs, said bolster being formed without outer guide lugs whereby the end thereof is freely insertable in the bolster opening, inner stop lugs on said bolster for limiting outward movement thereof, an upper spring cap disposed beneath said bolster and resting on said springs, the upper surface of said cap and the corresponding lower surface of the bolster being adapted to receive rollers, and lateral motion rollers disposed between said bolster and cap.

8. In a railway truck, in combination, a side frame formed with a compression member, a tension member, struts interposed therebetween and spaced to leave a bolster opening, those portions of the tension member beneath the bolster opening being widened for supporting springs, bolster springs supported on said portions of the tension member, a bolster disposed above said springs, the end of said bolster being freely insertable at the upper portion of the bolster opening between the struts, a spring cap resting on said springs and formed with lugs engaging said struts for limiting lateral movement thereof while allowing, vertical movement, and lateral motion rollers disposed between said bolster and cap, interlocking portions being provided on said latter members for limiting relative movement of the bolster while permitting the desired lateral motion thereof.

9. In a railway truck, in combination, a bridge type side frame formed with a relatively small bolster opening above the bridge thereof, bolster springs disposed on opposite sides of said bridge, a spring cap resting on the tops of said springs 20. In acar truck, a side frame having a central opening with vertical columns at the sides thereof and provided with bolster guiding surfaces, a hollow box-shaped portion of a tension member therebeneath, and adapted to receive an v end of the bolster, springs on the box-shaped portion, a spring cap between said bolster and said springs, upstanding flanges on said cap extending beyond said guiding surfaces and received in pockets in said bolster, whereby the latter is normally locked in position and supported for limited movement laterally with respect, to the side frame, and means extending from the top of said box-shaped portion for reinforcing said side frame columns and at the same time protecting the springs against oversolid blows.

21. A car truck including a spring plank, springs supported by the plank, a spring cap resting on the springs, rollers carried by the cap, a bolster having one of its ends resting on said rollers, said cap, rollers 2. nd bolster being capable of moving up and down as a unit as the bolster load varies, side frame having an opening into which said parts extend, and elements for interlocking the bolster with the side fram v the end of the bolster received in the openi. r: in the frame being narrow enough to clear said frame, permitting detachment of the side frame by a horizontal movement of the latter away from the bolster when the bolster is in the upper portion of the opening, with the springs removed, the spring cap lowered,

i and the spring plank detached.

with the cap and the latter 22. A car truck including a side frame with columns having generally parallel bolster guiding surfaces and outer and inner surfaces angularly disposed with respect to said generally parallel surfaces, said columns defining a window, spring means supported by a portion of said frame beneath said window, a bolster having its end normally airanged in said window and supported by said spring means and movable lengthwise into and out of said window for assembling and dismembering the truck and also movable vertically in said window while in use, and provided on its opposite vertical sides with vertical recesses, each of which opens downwardly and laterally outward but terminates at its upper end short ofthe top of the bolster and forms a closure at the upper end of each recess, and a locking member comprising a normally horizontal bar arranged transversely between the underside of the bolster and the upper end of said spring means, and upright arms arranged at opposite ends of said bar and each of said arms having a relatively short inner section which engages with the recess in the respective side of the bolster and a relatively high outer section arranged along the side of the bolster and extending above said short section and disposed with its inner side adjacent the outer surface of the respective column, and said inner section of each arm engaging with the generally parallel bolster guiding surfaces.

" GLENN F. COUCH. 

